Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

Introduction

Toxoplasma chorioretinitis is a serious eye condition caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite can affect humans and other animals, such as domestic cats. Some people with this condition may not experience any symptoms. Some people may experience many symptoms that affect their vision and overall health. The eye infection is caused due to the ingestion of contaminated food or water. The condition can be congenital or acquired.

Congenital transmission can occur through infection from the mother to the fetus. The symptoms may vary from mild vision impairment to severe vision impairment or complete vision loss. The complications like permanent vision loss can be prevented by prompt management. The severity of infection can impact the overall health of an individual. The article discusses toxoplasma chorioretinitis, its types, causes, risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

What Is Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

Toxoplasma chorioretinitis is an eye disorder that leads to retinal inflammation at the back of the eye. It also damages the retina. It is also known as ocular toxoplasmosis. The parasite is found all over the world.

What Are the Types of Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

There are two main types of toxoplasma chorioretinitis:

• Congenital Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis: In this type, the infection is passed from the mother to the fetus during pregnancy. People do not show any symptoms for several months or years. The condition may damage the retina and lead to vision loss.

• Acquired Congenital Chorioretinitis: The infection occurs after birth. It occurs due to ingesting food or water contaminated with the parasite.

How Common Is Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

According to the World health organization (WHO), around one-third of the world's population has been infected with the parasite. The condition's incidence depends on factors such as age, immune status, and geographic location. Around 90 percent of the population over 60 years in the United States has been infected with the Toxoplasma parasite. The condition is common in people with a weakened immune system, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What Are the Causes of Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

Toxoplasma chorioretinitis is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The parasite is found in the environment, soil, and certain animals. The causes are as follows:

• Eating contaminated or undercooked meat, such as pork, that contains the parasite cyst.

• Infected cats shed oocytes in the food and water and contaminate them, which can survive in the environment for several months to years. People who consume contaminated food and water can get infected.

• People who handle soil contaminated with cat feces.

• Blood transfusion or organ transplantation from an infected person.

• The parasite can go from the mother to the fetus via breast milk.

What Are the Risk Factors of Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

The risk factors of toxoplasma chorioretinitis are as follows:

• Exposure to Parasite: People who consume raw and undercooked meat are at high risk of developing the condition.

• Age: The infection is more common in children and young adults.

• Immunodeficiency: People with a weakened immune system, such as people undergoing chemotherapy, HIV infected patients, and organ transplant recipients, are at increased risk of toxoplasma chorioretinitis.

• Pregnancy: Pregnant women infected with the parasite can pass the infection to the fetus.

• Poor Hygiene: People who need to maintain their hygiene. For example, people who do not follow hand washing after handling raw materials are at increased risk of contracting infection.

• Animal Husbandry: People who work in animal husbandry may come into contact with infected animals, such as pet owners, veterinarians, and farm workers.

• Living in Endemic Area: Toxoplasma chorioretinitis is common in warm and humid climates. People living in these areas are at increased risk of developing the condition.

What Is the Pathophysiology of Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

Toxoplasma chorioretinitis is a parasitic eye infection. The parasite enters the human body by ingesting contaminated food and water or through contact with contaminated soil or cat feces. The parasite in the human body invades the cells in the eye's retina and starts to replicate. In response to an infection, the body's immune system causes inflammation in the affected area. The body's immune response can cause vision problems as the infection progresses. The parasite may remain dormant inside the body in people with a weakened immune system, leading to recurrent infection episodes. If left untreated, the condition may lead to permanent vision loss.

What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis?

Depending on the location and extent of toxoplasma chorioretinitis, the signs and symptoms vary, including:

• Fever.

• Headache.

• Abnormal eye movements.

• Inflammation of the eye or eyelid.

• Sensitivity to light.

• Eye pain, redness, or discomfort.

• Blurred vision or permanent vision loss.

• Headache.

• Fatigue.

• Muscle pain.

How Can Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis Be Diagnosed?

The healthcare professional may physically examine or ask about a patient's medical history. The diagnostic tests are as follows:

• Ophthalmic Examination: An eye doctor may conduct an eye examination to identify the signs of inflammation in the retina.

• Fluorescein Angiography: An eye doctor may inject a special dye into the arm's vein and take several retina images to identify blood vessel abnormalities.

• Optical Coherence Tomography: The light waves emit light to get a main image of the posterior part of the eye.

• Blood Tests: The blood test can be advised to identify the parasite to confirm the diagnosis.

• Biopsy: A doctor may collect a sample of fluid from the eye and send it to the laboratory to confirm the diagnosis.

How Can Toxoplasma Chorioretinitis Be Managed?

The treatment measures are as follows:

• Antibiotics: The doctor may prescribe Clindamycin and Pyrimethamine to target the parasite.

• Corticosteroids: The doctor may prescribe Prednisolone to reduce the swelling and inflammation in the affected area.

• Immunosuppressive Agents: The drugs such as Cyclosporine reduce the immune response.

• Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Agents: The agents such as Ranibizumab and Bevacizumab decrease the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.

• Laser Therapy: The therapy can damage the lesions in the retina.

Conclusion:

Toxoplasma chorioretinitis is an eye infection caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The infection can be caused due to the ingestion of contaminated food and water or by handling cat feces. It can lead to inflammation, swelling of the retina, or permanent vision loss. Early diagnosis and treatment can control the infection and prevent further damage. People should adopt preventive measures such as avoiding undercooked food or washing hands thoroughly after handling soil or cat feces.